If at first you don't succeed, switch parties.

That's the path state Rep. Jim Bradford is taking as the Democrat announced Tuesday he is changing parties to take on incumbent state Sen. Theresa Two Bulls in the November general election for a South Dakota Senate seat in District 27.

"I have always believed in limited government, personal responsibility, fiscal responsibility and lower taxes," Bradford said in a news release. "It is the Republican Party that best embodies those philosophies."

After learning of Bradford's party switch Tuesday, Two Bulls said the four-term House Democrat was simply getting back at her for beating him in their party's District 27 Senate primary in June.

"I'm hot under the collar about it," Two Bulls said. "To me, it's personal, to run just because I beat him in the primary."

South Dakota Republican Party officials announced Tuesday that Bradford has been appointed as their state Senate candidate for District 27.

"We are very pleased Rep. Bradford has decided to join the Republican Party, and we look forward to working with him," state Republican Party Chairman Karl Adam of Pierre said.

This won't be the first time Bradford and Two Bulls have tangled. After four two-year terms in the South Dakota House, Bradford can't run for another term because of term limits. He challenged Two Bulls in the June primary and told reporters he thought there was an understanding that he would run for the Senate and Two Bulls for the House.

Two Bulls said she never agreed to that.

In the close primary, Bradford lost, 1,183 to 1,155. He considered challenging the result but never filed the necessary papers.

Bradford said that his move to the Republican Party would make him a more effective legislator if elected.

"My political philosophy has always been more conservative," he said. "Serving in the majority party will give me the opportunity to be an even more effective representative for District 27 and Indian Country."

Two Bulls said the party switch raises issues about whether Bradford puts his own political ambition before the needs of District 27 residents.

"What does it tell the Native American voters in District 27? For eight years, they put him in office," Two Bulls said. "That's a slap in the face to the voters who supported him."

Bradford is a retired teacher who owns and operates a ranch near Pine Ridge. His wife, Shirlee, a tribal member, owns a furniture store in Pine Ridge.

Two Bulls is a prosecutor for the Oglala Sioux Tribe. She is serving her second two-year term in the Senate.

Bradford said through a Republican Party news release that if elected, he would join the GOP Senate caucus and vote for Republican candidates for leadership positions.

Contact Kevin Woster at 394-8413 or kevin.woster@rapidcityjournal.com